NATIVE ELDER CAREGIVER CURRICULUM NECC: 2.3 ASSESSMENT OF SYMPTOMS Caring for our Elders: Living...

NATIVE ELDER CAREGIVER CURRICULUM NECC: 2.3 ASSESSMENT OF SYMPTOMS

Caring for our Elders: Living with Symptoms & Assessment by Caregivers 2.3

Caring for our Elders: Living with Symptoms & Assessment by Caregivers

2.3 1

Checking Out Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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SYMPTOMS are the way our bodies “talk” to us… so when they “talk” to us, we should pay attention!

Symptoms are not always specific There are some common symptoms that

show up in a number of different health conditions

Symptoms need to be checked out Then, it is possible to treat the underlying

condition which is causing the symptoms

Checking Out Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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There are many different SYMPTOMS that go along with different health conditions

The SYMPTOM is what the elder may describe is happening to him or her

The SYMPTOM is NOT the disease diagnosis

BUT…SOME SYMPTOMS need to be checked out RIGHT AWAY AT CLINIC or at the Emergency Room

Assessment & Monitoring:

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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Do I need to be a doctor or a nurse to recognize symptoms in my elderly family member? NO.

Families: Can know what to watch out for Can see how the elder looks & sounds Can listen to what the elder is telling them Can know when there is a change from

“usual”

Assessment & Monitoring: “Some Things to Watch Out For”

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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What are some important symptoms that require attention from medical professionals?

“Some things to Watch Out For” Checking Out Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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IMPORTANT SYMPTOMS for CAREGIVERS TO ASSESS IN THE ELDER… AND GET HELP!

1. PAIN 2. SUDDEN CHANGE

IN FUNCTION 3. BREATHING

TROUBLE

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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Important Symptoms (cont’d)

4. UNCONSCIOUSNESS 5. UNUSUAL BLEEDING 6. FEVER 7. OTHER SIGNS OF

INFECTION

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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IMPORTANT SYMPTOMS for CAREGIVERS TO ASSESS IN THE ELDER

1. PAIN: Pain is our friend!

Believe it or not! Pay attention to it!

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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PAIN Pain is a “direct communication”

from our own body!“Something is not right!”“This is a warning!”“Pay attention!”“Do something to comfort me!”

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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Many types of pain ! Type depends on the “cause” of the pain

Is it related to a “chronic” problem?

ORIs it a serious “warning”? Related to an “acute” problem?

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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Many types of pain ! Type depends on the “cause” of the pain

Is it related to a “chronic” problem?

ORIs it a serious “warning”? Related to an “acute” problem?

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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A new pain? A change in a “usual” pain?

Change in intensity?Change in duration? A change in location?

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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TYPES OF PAIN “Sharp, stabbing, tingling, burning” “Throbbing, aching” “Deep aching” “All over” or only “in one spot” Lasts for long period? Only for a few seconds?

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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PAIN (Cont’d) How long is pain

there? Lasts a long time? Comes & goes? Lasts only a short

time? Rating from 1 –

10?

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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PAIN (cont’d) Location of pain

In the chest? Feels like “indigestion”? Down the arm? In the neck? Other symptoms?

Around the time of a meal?Coughing? Sweating? Fainting? Nausea? Confusion? Difficulty Breathing?After working at an activity? Exertion?

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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PAIN (cont’d) Is it a NEW symptom? A NEW

pain? A NEW location? How does the elder usually

react to pain? Do they let you know? Do they mention pain often? Do they hide their pain

symptoms from you?

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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CHRONIC PAIN Can interfere with a

person’s “whole” life Physically (“ouch”) Socially (“can’t deal with

family”) Emotionally / mentally

(“depressed, tired, sad”) Spiritually (“why me?”

“where is God?”)

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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CHRONIC PAIN (cont’d)

Can be helped Family can advocate for

elder with chronic pain Not necessary to just

accept chronic pain Can be treated Talk with health professional

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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SUDDEN CHANGE IN FUNCTION Can’t see, blurry vision, double-

vision Can’t move, especially one side of

the body or face Can’t speak or understand what is

being said to them Can’t hear suddenly

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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Sudden Change in Function (cont’d)

Numbness or loss of feeling Confusion Severe headache all of a sudden Dizziness Nausea/vomiting Trouble swallowing

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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BREATHING DIFFICULTIES SOB (shortness of breath)? Restlessness? Color change in skin? Irritability? Difficulty breathing? Increase of swelling anywhere?

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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LOSS or CHANGE IN CONSCIOUSNESS

Confusion Passing out Fainting Disoriented

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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UNUSUAL BLEEDINGUnusual place for blood to come from: for example, mouth, vomiting, stool, etc.

Unusual amount of blood: for example, a nosebleed that will not stop

Unusual event: for example, an injury that requires stitches and/or an update in tetanus immunization booster

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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FEVER

Elders with fevers require medical attention

Keep a thermometer in the home to check temperature

Checking Out Important Symptoms

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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OTHER SIGNS OF INFECTION Sometimes, elderly people will have an infection, and will NOT have a feverNeed to watch for other signs of infection, such as:

Redness, pus, swelling, dischargeConfused or disoriented behavior

Some things to Get Help For… Quick! A Review:

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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IMPORTANT SYMPTOMS for CAREGIVERS TO ASSESS IN THE ELDER… AND GET HELP!

1. PAIN 2. SUDDEN CHANGE

IN FUNCTION 3. BREATHING

TROUBLE

Get Help For These Important Symptoms… Quick!

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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4. UNCONSCIOUSNESS 5. UNUSUAL BLEEDING 6. FEVER 7. OTHER SIGNS OF

INFECTION

Living with symptoms: Assessment 2.3

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